The return journey took exactly as long as the trip there. Time slipped by unnoticed, and before long, the train pulled into the station once more.
Stepping off, Li Xuan followed the escort assigned to him and soon arrived at the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.
As he crossed the grand gates, his first destination was clear. He went to pay his respects to the Master.
"This was one of the Upper Moons?" The blind eyes of Kagaya Ubuyashiki shifted slightly toward the place where Gyokko's remnants were being kept. Though sightless, his senses probed and grasped at the lingering aura. He had just listened quietly to Li Xuan's detailed account of the mission.
"What remains is only his severed head. I did not kill him with a Nichirin blade, so technically he is still alive," Li Xuan explained calmly.
"And what of his strength? How powerful was he?" Kagaya asked while leaning lightly against the support of his wife, who held his arm as gently as if she were guiding a fragile porcelain vase.
Li Xuan recalled vividly the clash with Gyokko. The grotesque form of the demon, the suffocating miasma of his attacks, and the unnatural speed of his movements filled his mind. After calculating silently, he finally spoke.
"Even a Hashira would find it extremely difficult to defeat him."
His words were already phrased with restraint. In truth, Li Xuan believed that among the current nine Hashira, only the Stone Hashira could confidently claim victory over Gyokko. The others would be forced into retreat or grave danger.
"Even the Upper Rank Five possesses such overwhelming strength…" Worry flickered across Kagaya's usually serene face.
If even the fifth among the Upper Moons wielded power of that magnitude, what terrifying strength must those ranked above him hold? The thought darkened the room for a moment.
Yet soon, Kagaya's furrowed brow relaxed. His expression softened as he turned back toward Li Xuan.
The Upper Moons were indeed formidable, yet this very one had been subdued alive. To capture an Upper Moon was an act that defied all expectations. It made Kagaya reflect once more on the strength Li Xuan possessed. Fortunately, this man stood within the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"You have done extraordinarily well. Not only did you complete the mission, you even brought back an Upper Moon alive. This is a deed without equal." Kagaya's voice carried genuine admiration.
For context, none of the current Hashira had ever crossed blades with an Upper Moon. The only knowledge available to them came from historical records, which all told grim tales. Upper Moons had slain many Hashira across the generations.
"Powerful" was the single word that encapsulated the impression most Demon Slayers held of these demons.
Kagaya himself never imagined that a newly recruited member would, in his very first mission, succeed in capturing one. This not only prevented Gyokko from harming more humans in the future, it also provided the Corps with a living specimen to study, allowing them to better understand the mysteries of the Upper Moons.
"You have already met the conditions required to become a Hashira."
Li Xuan blinked at Kagaya's sudden declaration, surprise flashing across his face.
He knew that the requirement was either the slaying of one Lower Moon or the killing of fifty ordinary demons. Capturing an Upper Moon alive far surpassed either standard. Still, he had assumed that because he was new to the Corps, no one would seriously bring up the subject. Perhaps his contribution would be acknowledged, but he expected the matter to end there.
Yet he had misjudged the Master.
In Kagaya's eyes, Li Xuan was not merely a talented swordsman. He was a warrior of extraordinary strength, one who could not be overlooked. Through correspondence with Urokodaki Sakonji, Kagaya also knew that Li Xuan did not possess the kind of unwavering hatred for demons that usually fueled a slayer's resolve.
That made it even more crucial to secure his loyalty. If possible, Kagaya wished to bind Li Xuan firmly to the Demon Slayer Corps, not only in duty but in heart. By granting him the status of Hashira, Kagaya hoped to cultivate a sense of belonging and kindle a clear determination within him.
Thus, though Li Xuan's seniority was shallow, Kagaya still extended him this opportunity. He chose to use the justification of capturing an Upper Moon as a stepping stone.
"Are there not only nine Hashira?" Li Xuan asked, brows slightly raised.
"Why do you think that must be the limit?" Kagaya responded with a faint smile.
Understanding dawned quickly. There was no absolute restriction that only nine Hashira could exist. It was simply that few ever fulfilled the requirements.
"Ah… nothing," Li Xuan muttered, dropping the subject.
"So, what is your answer?" Kagaya asked, his voice calm but intent.
"I do not particularly care."
To Li Xuan, the title mattered little. Whether recognized as Hashira or not, his path remained unchanged. Of course, the title would make certain things easier. It would grant him equal footing when conversing with the other Hashira and remove the natural gap of hierarchy.
A small smile touched his lips as he considered one particular benefit. If he became Hashira, he could summon Tanjiro freely without the restraint of rank. Perhaps that was not such a bad advantage.
"I will announce it at the next Hashira meeting," Kagaya said, leaning slightly forward in a subtle gesture of respect.
The truth was that Kagaya did not wish to elevate someone who lacked the conviction to destroy demons at all costs. Yet after witnessing the magnitude of Li Xuan's power, and realizing the indispensable value he now held, Kagaya could no longer avoid it. At this point, it was not Li Xuan who needed the Demon Slayer Corps. It was the Corps that desperately needed Li Xuan.
Li Xuan inclined his head. "Understood." With that, he took his leave.
As he was departing, Kagaya added, "I will have researchers study the Upper Moon you captured. I hope you will not oppose this."
"I will not," Li Xuan replied simply.
Later, he returned to the residence where he had been staying, a guest in the home of Rengoku Kyojuro. He set down his belongings in the familiar room.
"These items were of little use during the journey. Next time I will not bother carrying them," he thought, glancing particularly at the neatly folded Corps uniform.
Hours passed in silence. Yet strangely, Rengoku did not appear.
By nature, Kyojuro was the kind of man who, upon hearing that a friend had returned safely, would rush at once with boundless enthusiasm to greet him. Moreover, the two had promised a rematch, a duel fought with everything they had, once they next crossed paths.
"Where is Rengoku?" Li Xuan asked one of the household attendants.
"Rengoku-sama has gone out on a mission," came the polite reply.
"So that explains it," Li Xuan murmured softly.
It made sense. Still, in his understanding, at least one Hashira was usually required to remain at headquarters to ensure the Master's safety. If Rengoku had departed, then another must have taken his place.
Should he perhaps seek out this replacement and claim a sign-in reward from them? The thought flickered briefly across his mind.
He dismissed it quickly. "Too troublesome," he told himself. Instead, he shifted his focus entirely to training his Mist Breathing techniques.
The days that followed passed in steady rhythm. In the courtyard, he devoted himself to refining the sword forms he had created, each movement cutting through the air like drifting clouds dissolving into nothingness. The scent of fresh earth and autumn wind accompanied his practice, the rhythmic whistle of his blade a constant companion.
Then one day, as sunlight poured over the tiled roof, a figure appeared at the edge of the house. A woman with long violet hair, her haori patterned delicately, stood watching with a gentle smile curving her lips.
"Moshi moshi. May I ask if you are Li Xuan?" she said in a soft, lilting voice.
Li Xuan halted the swing of his Nichirin blade and turned his gaze toward her. Recognition struck instantly.
The Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho.